Ioana’s rainbow fire cider
My ingredients for this fire cider.
I was first introduced to the concept of fire cider back in 2018 while enrolled in the Holistic Health school by one of my teachers, Barbara, during our Medicinal herbs class.
I am not an Herbalist, but I have taken many classes in Botanics and Medicinal herbs over the years. Also, working as a Pharmacist, I was exposed for years to all kinds of natural remedies and medicinal plants, as many people in Romania still prefer the old healing ways through teas, tinctures, bitters, and more.
What is fire cider? Fire Cider is a blend of herbs mixed with apple cider vinegar and honey used for its health-enhancing properties. The fire cider name and the original recipe were coined by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar in the 1970s:
I would say that fire cider does have a long history. It goes back to how people were using apple cider vinegar, and we had some very famous formulas, one of which was apple cider vinegar and honey, another being apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper.
I would almost go as far as to say that all herbal remedies and formulas are handed down and passed down through many generations. The information comes from ancient plant wisdom that doesn’t belong to us, but it’s ours to use and share. So this particular recipe is based on ancient history.
Before adding the apple cider vinegar.
The fire cider recipe has been reproduced, adapted, used, and sold by thousands of herbalists over the past fifty years. Traditional fire cider is apple cider vinegar infused with ingredients like horseradish, garlic, onion, ginger, and hot peppers, among other things.
You don't have to be a herbalist to make this fire cider- this is why I wanted to share this amazing recipe with you today. While my fire cider is not as fiery as the original recipe, as it doesn't contain cayenne or other spicy pepper, it has the same healing properties. You are welcome to add some cayenne pepper to it if you can tolerate spicy foods, I cant.
Apparently, my inability to tolerate spicy foods comes from having too much PITTA DOSHA in me. If you are not familiar with Ayurvedic medicine and doshas, I recommend you read about them and take a dosha test.
"Pitta represents the energy of transformation and is therefore closely aligned with the fire element. But in living organisms, pitta is largely liquid, which is why water is its secondary element. Pitta is neither mobile nor stable but spreads—much as the warmth of a fire permeates its surroundings, or as water flows in the direction dictated by the terrain. Pitta is closely related to intelligence, understanding, and the digestion of foods, thoughts, emotions, and experiences; it governs nutrition and metabolism, body temperature, and the light of understanding."
After one month of fermentation with apple cider vinegar.
Don't obsess over which ingredients to use- any of the ingredients in this long list will do. Feel free to add some spicy peppers to the mix if you tolerate the heat. Also, as usual, you are encouraged to make your recipe with your desired ingredients. Be creative!
RECIPE
1 head garlic - anti-microbial, immune-modulating, and antiseptic. A “cure-all” no matter how you look at it. And it repels vampires, which is a good thing(I am from Romania, the land of vampires).
1 small onion - anti-microbial, immune-modulating- loaded with sulfur, quercetin, onion is a stellar immune booster encouraging peak performance of the body’s natural defenses.
3 inch piece horseradish - anti-microbial, immune-modulating, decongestant, antioxidant.
3 pieces turmeric - anti-inflammatory, detoxifier, helps digestion.
3 inch piece ginger - anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, digestive stimulant, decongestant, expectorant, antispasmodic, and more.
1 bunch rosemary - anti-microbial, circulatory stimulant, expectorant
1 bunch thyme - anti-microbial, antibacterial, antiseptic, diaphoretic (encourages perspiration), expectorant.
1 lemon, 1 tangerine, 1 orange, 1-2 limes- antioxidant, immune-boosting.
1/2 cup honey - antimicrobial, natural preservative, and sweet.
1 Tbsp black pepper - antioxidant, decongestant, and anti-inflammatory.
6 pods cardamom, 1 teaspoon cloves, 1 piece licorice, 3 sticks cinnamon, 3 bay leaves - digestion aids, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and more.
1-2 cups berries - raspberries, blueberries, blackberries - antioxidants
As needed raw apple cider vinegar: full of probiotics, a beneficial bacteria powerhouse, a fantastic preservative, and the perfect infusing liquid for fire cider.
Instructions
Gather, prep, and chop all the ingredients;
In a one-gallon jar, start layering the ingredients- I went from dark to light;
In the end, add the honey;
Fill the glass jar with raw apple cider vinegar;
Cover with a cloth, let ferment for one month;
You can mix it daily or every couple of days to make sure that it doesn't grow mold on the surface;
After one month, strain and discard the pulp, pour the fire cider vinegar into a glass bottle, and refrigerate.
Use
Drink one tablespoon every morning in water or juice.
I will talk about the importance of drinking apple cider vinegar every day for digestive health in another post….soon!
Final product
As usual, these are my thoughts and ideas, not medical advice. You are encouraged to create your own recipes or search for some suited to your needs. I am just sharing my opinions, hoping that I can inspire some of you to make healthier food choices.
Please remember that we all have different nutritional needs and that food affects us differently. If you are not sure which foods are best for you, reach out for a free phone consultation.
In good health,
Ioana